One Day in the Coldest Village on Earth −71°C (−95°F) | Yakutia, Siberia

Summary

In Yakutia, Kirill Petrov's daily routine involves heating his home with a wood-burning stove to combat the extreme cold. Villagers rely on harvested ice for water due to frozen pipes. Kirill's wife, Liubov, prepares a dairy-based breakfast as fruits and vegetables are scarce. Their son, Arayan, attends school when temperatures are above -54°C, braving the elements with proper clothing. The community values education, and Arayan's future is bright if he excels. Despite the harsh climate, life thrives with traditional crafts, fishing, and a strong sense of community, showcasing the Yakut people's resilience and harmony with nature.

Takeaways

• ❄️ Kirill Petrov, a resident of Yakutia, starts his day by heating his house with a wood-burning stove to combat the extreme cold.
• 🌡 Due to the harsh climate, Yakutia experiences temperatures below -55°C, making it too dangerous for children to attend school.
• 🏡 Villagers rely on ice as their primary water source, as water treatment facilities are non-existent due to freezing pipes.
• 🥞 For breakfast, the family enjoys high-energy foods like fatty pancakes and whipped cream to keep warm during the cold winters.
• 👕 Proper clothing is crucial for survival in Yakutia, with multiple layers and insulated boots being a must to protect against the cold.
• 🏫 Arian, Kirill's son, attends primary school where education lasts for 11 years before university, studying three languages: Russian, English, and Sakha.
• 🍎 Regular meals are essential for the children to maintain energy levels in the cold, with a second breakfast of apples and other foods provided at school.
• 🏠 Homes in the village are made of wood, and residents burn over 60 cubic meters of wood each winter to keep warm.
• 🔨 Kirill is a craftsman who teaches his son traditional Yakut knife-making, a skill passed down through generations.
• 🎣 Fishing and hunting are significant for food in Yakutia, with Arian enjoying these activities with his father, showcasing the community's connection with nature.

Q & A

What is the first thing Kirill Petrov does every morning?

Kirill Petrov heats the house with a wood-burning stove to keep his family warm on the icy cold mornings in Yakutia.

Why is wood so important for Kirill and his family?

Wood is crucial as they need a lot of it to heat their house non-stop for nine months due to the severe climate in Yakutia.

What is the main source of water in the village due to the lack of water treatment facilities?

Ice is the main source of water in the village, as the pipes freeze during the long winter, and villagers harvest ice from the river.

What type of breakfast does Liubov prepare for the family?

Liubov prepares a breakfast of kercheh, which is whipped cream with a strawberry germ, harvested during the summer.

What is the temperature condition for children to attend school in Yakutia?

Children in Yakutia attend school when it's warmer than minus 54 degrees Celsius, but it's too dangerous to go to school if the temperature drops below minus 55 degrees Celsius.

What does Aryan use to wash his face and brush his teeth in the morning?

Aryan uses ice-cold water that his dad prepared earlier.

What is the significance of wearing proper clothing in Yakutia's extreme winters?

Wearing several layers of clothing and insulated boots is essential for survival in Yakutia's extreme winters, as the cold can reach deep inside bones and threaten life.

How do the locals, including Aryan's family, keep their houses warm during the winter?

Locals burn more than 60 cubic meters of wood on average every winter and fill every gap with oakum or snow to keep the house warm and protect it from freezing air.

What languages do Yakut people study at school?

Yakut people study three languages at school: Russian, English, and Sakha, which is their mother tongue and belongs to the Turkic language group.

What is the traditional craft that Aryan's father, Kirill, is teaching him?

Kirill is teaching Aryan the traditional craft of making Yakut knives, which have been an important part of Yakut culture for centuries.

How do the people of Yakutia manage without indoor toilets during the winter?

In Yakutia, there are no indoor toilets because the pipes freeze easily. All activities related to toilets happen outside, and people are very efficient to avoid spending too much time in the cold.